Apparatus for opening sealed containers

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for opening sealed containers, especially containing concentrated agricultural chemical solutions intended for dilution and spraying, consists of a seal rupturing element (14) and seal cutting elements (13) which, having pierced the seal, cut it to form sector-like flaps which are pressed back against the internal wall of the neck of the container. Preferably, the apparatus also includes means (28, 18 and 15) to flush out the interior of the container. The apparatus may form part of industrial spraying equipment and may be mounted in the charging hopper, whereby a sealed container is presented inverted to the apparatus so that the contents flow by gravity to the hopper once the seal is broken.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to means for the opening of sealed containers,particularly of containers which contain hazardous liquid material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of plastics or other containers having a metallic foil or othermembrane closure sealed to the neck thereof is commonplace; suchcontainers are used for materials as diverse as milk and industrialchemicals. However, the removal or other treatment of the seal to gainaccess to the contents is difficult and presents particular problemswhen the contents are liquid and hazardous, in that splashes are likelyto occur or the operative's fingers are likely to come in contact withthe contents. Such containers are commonly used for the packaging ofconcentrated agricultural chemical solutions intended for spraying. Toprepare the solution for spraying, the operative will need to open oneor more containers and discharge part or all of the contents to a feedtank in which the chemical is diluted to the required sprayingconcentration. The operative will generally wish to keep the initialaddition and mixing time and subsequent replenishment times to a minimumfor economic reasons, but this militates against the use of recommendedsafety procedures and increases the risks of spillage, splashing or theincrease of other potentially hazardous exposures. These risks arepresent despite the use of protective clothing and may be exacerbated inwindy conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide apparatus the use ofwhich will facilitate the fast and safe opening of containers of thetype described and the discharge of the contents thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the container, whichhaving been opened and the contents discharged, needs to be washed out,thereby rendering the container safe for disposal.

According to one aspect of the invention, apparatus for the opening ofsealed containers (as hereinbefore defined) comprises a seal rupturingelement and a plurality of seal cutting elements, the rupturing elementand cutting elements being carried by a common support member, wherebyin use the seal is firstly ruptured and then cut to form sector-likeflaps.

The seal rupturing element may be formed integrally with the sealcutting elements and preferably comprises a point but may be formed as acone or as a part of a sphere or as a small-diameter circular cuttingedge at one end of a cylindrical part which constitutes the supportmember. The seal cutting elements preferably comprise linear cuttingedges which are inclined away from the seal rupturing element at anangle, preferably an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axisof the support member, whereby rotation of the apparatus about the saidaxis would cause a notional cone or frustum to be generated by the sealcutting elements.

It will be appreciated that, in use, the apparatus will cut the seal toform sector-like flaps the edges of which extend to the inner edge ofthe neck of the container, provided that the diameter of the neck is notgreater than the base diameter of the notional cone or frustum, that is,twice the maximum distance between any one of the cutting elements andthe axis of the cylindrical part. It will also be appreciated that,having formed such sector-like flaps, relative turning movement betweenthe apparatus and the container about the axis of the cylindrical partwill cause the cutting elements to engage the cut edges of the flapsadjacent the neck of the container and progressively to move along thebases of the flaps, tending to urge them inwardly of the neck andtowards the inner surface thereof, thereby creating an effectivelyunencumbered opening to the container for fast egress of the contentsthereof.

A preferred number of cutting elements is four, arranged substantiallyequi-angularly around the support member.

The apparatus according to the invention may include means for flushingout the interior of the container. In a preferred arrangement, thesupport member comprises a pipe connected to a supply of water or otherflushing liquid, whereby the contents of the container may be flushedout to render the empty container safe for disposal. The pipe mayinclude valve means to control the supply of water, operatedautomatically by pressure exerted by the neck of a container on or afteropening the seal thereof. One way of achieving this is to provide valveactuating elements which are mounted as part of the support member, theelements being displaceable from an "off" to an "on" position by contactwith or pressure exerted by the neck of the container. The valveactuating elements, which are preferably biassed towards the "off" orclosed position, may be movable relative to the seal cutting elementsor, in an alternative arrangement, may be constituted by the sealcutting elements.

The head end of the pipe, through which flushing water issues, mayconstitute the seal rupturing element and may be formed as a cone or asa part of a sphere which may include an array of apertures through whichflushing water issues as a spray having a pattern to contactsubstantially all parts of the inner wall of the container, foreffective cleaning thereof. Alternatively, the head end of the pipe maybe open and the edge may be sharpened and/or formed at an oblique angleto provide the seal rupturing element.

The inventive apparatus is particularly intended to be used as part ofagricultural or other industrial spraying equipment. In the use of suchequipment, the chemical concentrate is generally charged to the feedtank via a filter incorporated in the base of a charging hopper.According to the invention, the inventive apparatus may be constructedas an integral part of the charging hopper, supported from the base orsides thereof and with the head member extending generally upwardly. Inuse, the spraying operative merely inverts the sealed container over thehead member and thrusts the container downwardly while giving it atwisting movement, thereby rupturing the seal by piercing it and formingsector-like flaps and, substantially simultaneously or immediatelythereafter, causing the flaps to be bent back towards the interior ofthe neck, the contents then flowing direct into the charging hopper. Ifthe apparatus also includes a water supply means, the interior of thecontainer is then flushed out to the charging hopper.

The inventive apparatus may also include a shroud means to surround theneck of a container during the opening and emptying thereof, to containany lateral splashing or wind-spraying of the chemical concentrate andto prevent contact thereof with the operative. Such shroud means may betelescopic and biassed towards the open or extended condition, wherebysubstantially the entire vertical height between the aperture of thecontainer and the base of the charging hopper is protected fromsplashing and wind-spraying.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examplewith reference to the accompanying drawings, of which

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of one formof a seal piercing and container flushing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the seal piercing and cutting element of theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the element of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the flushing mechanism of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the apparatus similar to that inFIG. 1 but with parts removed and with the apparatus being depicted inthe flushing mode;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 in use with a container in position thereon;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing an alternative form of a sealpiercing and container flushing apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section, showing sealpiercing and container flushing apparatus mounted within a telescopicshroud;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section, showing analternative form of flushing mechanism; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section, showing aseal piercing and container flushing apparatus in a lidded housing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 4, the apparatus is shown generally at10 and consists of a first tube 11 supported by four legs or vanes 12with angled outer edges 13. The upper end of the tube is formed as acone 14 with an array of holes 15 formed therein. The lower end of thetube is closed by a blanking element 16 which has a short centralcylindrical part 17 extending from the lower face thereof. An array ofholes 18 is formed in the lower end region of the tube wall.

As shown in FIG. 2, the legs are disposed equi-angularly about the tubeand extend radially therefrom. Lugs 19 are provided at the lower ends oftwo of the legs 12, extending in opposite directions, for the purpose ofattachment of the tube to a base plate 20 via brackets 21, in a manneryet to be described.

A second tube 22 is carried for sliding reciprocating movement in anaperture formed in the base plate 20. The upper end region of the tube22 carries a collar 23 which supports a pair of arms 24 which are angledinwardly and upwardly. The tube 22 is biassed upwardly by a suitablebiassing means, which in the embodiment illustrated is represented by acompression spring 25.

The tube may be displaced downwardly against the biassing pressure untilthe lower ends of the arms 24, formed as outwardly curved portions 26,contact the base plate 20. The tube 22 has an internal diameter slightlylarger than the external diameter of the tube 11 and is formed towardsits upper end with an internal flange 27, the diameter of the hole inwhich is the same as or greater than the diameter of the cylindricalextension 17 formed at the bottom of tube 11. A washer or otherresilient sealing element may be provided between the flange 27 and thelower end of the tube 11. The lower end of the tube 22 is connected to asource of water, via connection member 28.

In assembly of the apparatus for use, the lower end of the tube 11 isinserted in the upper end of tube 22 until the blanking element 16 makescontact with the internal flange 27, which thus forms a seat for thetube 11. An "O"-ring seal is provided between the tubes, towards theupper end of tube 22. With slight downward pressure against spring 25,the lower ends of the legs 12 contact the base plate 20 and a twistingmovement engages lugs 19 in brackets 21, thus retaining the tube 11 insealing engagement with the outer tube 22.

The dimensions and angle of the arms 24 are selected so that, in theassembled condition, the arms extend slightly externally of the legs 12or of a notional frustum generated by the legs 12 on rotation of thetube 11 about its longitudinal axis. It will be understood that the arms24 each lie in a 90° sector defined by two adjacent legs 12, the sectorsbeing diametrically opposed, when viewed from above.

The apparatus as described is contained within a charging hopper orother reservoir of spraying apparatus.

In use upon positioning or offering an inverted sealed container to theapparatus, the seal of the container is initially ruptured by the pointof the cone 14. The outer rim of the mouth of the container thendepresses the arms 24; the outer tube 22 is thereby moved downwardlyagainst the bias to disengage the internal flange 27 from its sealingposition with the lower end of the tube 11, thereby allowing water toflow through the holes 18 into the tube 11 and thence out of the holes11 as jets of water to impinge on the inner wall of the container and toflush it out. Meanwhile, the edges 13 of the legs 12 have cut the sealto form four 90° sectors which, on twisting the container, are caused tobe folded back towards the inner side of the container mouth. FIG. 5shows the relative positions of tubes 11 and 22 in the flushingposition.

It is to be understood that the simplest embodiment of the inventionmerely requires the presence of two or more arms or vanes with angledouter edges which in use act as cutting blades and converge to a pointor other seal rupturing element, the flushing mechanism not beingincluded.

Referring to FIG. 6, the apparatus is shown in perspective with acontainer containing a chemical concentrate inverted thereon, the upperends of the tube 11 and of the legs 12 and arms 24 being shrouded by afrusto-conical collar 29, as additional splash or wind-spray protectionto the operative. The collar is preferably biassed in an upwarddirection, for example by means of a compression spring 30, to assist insealing contact between the collar and the container. Drain holes may beprovided in the base plate, or the liquid may be allowed to flow downthe outside of the base and into a suitable reservoir or hopper,according to choice having regard to the particular spraying equipmentbeing used.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiments of the apparatus in which thearms 24 and legs 12 of the apparatus as previously described areeffectively functionally combined. In FIG. 7, a central tube 71 has adomed seal-rupturing head 72 formed with holes 73 for egress of flushingwater, as previously described. The lower end of the tube 71 is closedwith a screw-threaded blanking element 74 which is a loose fit in secondtube 75, connected to a supply of water. An array of holes 76 are formedin the wall of tube 71, above the blanking element 74. The upper end oftube 75 is formed with an inwardly-directed flange 77 which defines anaperture within which tube 71 is slidably carried; an "O" seal or othergasket means 78 is provided to render the sliding connectionwater-tight.

The tube 71 carries four legs 79, as previously described; a compressionspring 80 or other biassing element acts between the flange 77 and thepoints of attachment of the legs to the tube 71, to urge the tubeupwardly and hence the blanking element 74 into sealing engagement withthe flange 77. On offering a sealed container to the apparatus, thedownward manual fore both ruptures and cuts the seal into segments andalso depresses the tube 71 against spring pressure, (as illustrated),thereby permitting flushing water to enter the tube 71 as shown by thearrows, and to issue as jets from holes 73.

With force to FIG. 8, the apparatus 10 as previously described withreference to FIG. 1 to 4 is shown mounted over a cylinder 81 in sealingengagement with a filter screen dish 82 provided in the base of thecharging hopper of spraying equipment. In order to effect enclosedtransfer of the chemical concentrate to the hopper, the apparatus 10 andcylinder 81 (shown in two parts joined at mating flanges 83) areenclosed by a telescopic shroud formed in three parts 84, 85, and 86with an inner annular curtain 87 depending from the upper part 84. Thefunction of the curtain is to prevent concentrate from contacting withthe inner walls of the telescopic parts although the external flanges ofthe parts 84 and 85 are arranged to wipe against the inner walls ofrespective parts 85 and 86 when the parts are telescoped together, toeffect a cleaning of any material which may inadvertently havecontaminated the walls. The upper part 84 is provided with a circularaccess hole and a neoprene or other resilient washer 88 for sealingagainst the neck or shoulder of an inverted container. The lower part 86is screw-threadedly engaged with a flanged annular element 89 which isreceived on the periphery or edge flange of the filter screen dish 82.An internal biassing means such as spring 90 urges the telescopic partsto the open or extended condition.

With reference to FIG. 9, the apparatus includes tube 91 with a conicalperforated head 92 and four seal cutting elements 93. Co-planar witheach element 93 is a vane 94; the four vanes are connected by welding toa sleeve element 95 so that the vanes/sleeve assembly is slidable ontube 91; guide blocks 96 welded to the tube prevent the assembly fromrotating around the tube. The tube is externally screw-threaded at thelower region and is secured to support plate 97 by lock nuts 98, 99.

A coil spring 100 or other biassing means urges the vanes/sleeveassembly in an upward direction.

The tube 91 is provided with an internal partition wall 101 and an array102, 103 of holes are respectively formed in the wall of the tube oneach respective side of the partition. The sleeve element 95 is providedwith annular resilient seals 104, 105, 106, arranged to definerespective upper and lower annular valve chambers around the peripheryof the tube 91. In the position shown in the drawing, holes 103 are inregistration with the lower valve chamber defined by seals 105 and 106,whereby no water can flow into the upper part of the tube above thepartition wall 101. When the vanes/sleeve assembly is depressed by aninverted container being thrust down upon it, both holes 102 and 103 arein registration with the valve chamber defined by seals 104 and 105,whereby water can flow into the upper part of the tube.

With reference to FIG. 10, apparatus similar to that described withreference to FIG. 7 is disposed within a rubber or other resilientcorrugated shroud 107 the lower end of which is secured to the base 108of a housing having a hinged lid 109. The base of the housing isprovided with drain holes 110 to allow liquid to flow to a charginghopper to which the base is sealingly attached. An annular seal isindicated at 111; the housing may be attached to the charging hopper bybolts (not shown).

In use, the lid of the housing is opened and a container of chemicalconcentrate is offered, inverted, to the head of the tube 112. Theshoulder of the container will form an effective seal against the upperrim of the corrugated shroud 107. Forcing the container down upon thehead of the tube with a twisting action will rupture the seal and urgethe sector-like flaps thereof, formed by the cutting edges of the vanes113, back against the internal wall of the neck of the container andwill also depress tube 112 relative to tube 114 against the pressureexerted by spring 115, thus enabling water to flow up both tubes 114 and112 as described with reference to FIG. 7. The shroud will resilientlycompress, thereby maintaining the seal around the shoulder of thecontainer.

We claim:
 1. Apparatus adapted for the opening of a container whichcontains hazardous liquid material and is sealed with a membrane, theapparatus comprisinga seal rupturing element capable of rupturing thesealing membrane; a plurality of seal cutting elements capable ofcutting the sealing membrane; support means for supporting said sealrupturing element and said seal cutting elements, said seal cuttingelements comprising linear cutting edges inclined away from the sealrupturing element at an angle such that the seal cutting elementsgenerate a cone or frustum on rotation of the apparatus about thelongitudinal axis of said support means; and means for flushing out theinterior of the container; whereby in use the membrane seal is rupturedand cut to form sector-like flaps by said seal rupturing elements andsaid seal cutting elements, the hazardous liquid contents are allowed todrain therefrom and the interior of the container is flushed out wherebythe container is rendered safe for disposal.
 2. Apparatus according toclaim 1, in which the seal rupturing element is formed integrally withthe seal cutting elements.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, adaptedto be used with industrial equipment and further including a charginghopper for receiving a liquid composition in the sealed container. 4.Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said support means comprises acommon support member that has a longitudinal axis and which supportssaid seal rupturing element and a plurality of seal cutting elements;and wherein there are four seal cutting elements, said four seal cuttingelements being symmetrically mounted about the longitudinal axis of thesupport member.
 5. Apparatus according to any claim 1, in which thesupport member comprises a pipe connected to a supply of flushingliquid.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the pipe includesvalve means for controlling the supply of liquid, the valve means beingactivated by pressure exerted on the apparatus via a container beingemptied.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the valve means isbiassed to a valve-closed position and is connected to valve actuatingelements which move the valve means against the biassing pressure to avalve-open position.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which thevalve actuating elements are movable longitudinally relative to the sealcutting elements.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the valveactuating elements are constituted by the seal cutting elements. 10.Apparatus adapted for the opening of a sealed container that includes aneck and which contains hazardous liquid material, said apparatuscomprisinga seal rupturing element; a plurality of seal cuttingelements; support means for supporting said seal rupturing element andsaid seal cutting elements comprising a pipe adapted to be connected toa supply of flushing liquid, in which the upper end of the pipe formsthe seal rupturing element and is provided with an array of apertures,whereby flushing liquid can issue from the pipe in the form of a spray;and means for supplying a flushing liquid for flushing out the interiorof the container; whereby in use the seal is ruptured and cut to formsector-like flaps, the hazardous liquid contents are allowed to draintherefrom and the interior of the container is flushed out whereby thecontainer is rendered safe for disposal.
 11. Apparatus adapted for theopening of a sealed container that includes a neck and which containshazardous liquid material, said apparatus comprisinga seal rupturingelement; a plurality of seal cutting elements; support means forsupporting said seal rupturing element and said seal cutting elements;means for flushing out the interior of the container; and furtherincluding shroud means to surround the neck of a container duringopening and emptying thereof; whereby in use the seal is ruptured andcut to form sector-like flaps, the hazardous liquid contents are allowedto drain therefrom and the interior of the container is flushed outwhereby the container is rendered safe for disposal.
 12. Apparatusaccording to claim 11, in which said apparatus is adapted to be usedwith a charging hopper having a base; andwherein said shroud means istelescopic and is biassed towards the open or extended position to guardagainst splashing from substantially the entire vertical distancebetween the container aperture and the base of the charging hopper. 13.Apparatus adapted for the opening of a sealed container which containshazardous liquid material, the apparatus comprisinga seal rupturingelement; a plurality of seal cutting elements; support means forsupporting said seal rupturing element and said seal cutting element,said support means comprising a pipe connectable to a supply of flushingliquid, said pipe including valve means for controlling the supply ofliquid, the valve means being activated by pressure exerted on theapparatus via a container being emptied; said seal cutting elementscomprising linear cutting edges inclined away from the seal rupturingelement at an angle such that the seal cutting elements generate a coneor frustum on rotation of the apparatus about the longitudinal axis ofsaid support means; and means for flushing out the interior of thecontainer; whereby in use the seal is ruptured and cut to formsector-like flaps, the hazardous liquid contents are allowed to draintherefrom and the interior of the container is flushed out whereby thecontainer is rendered safe for disposal.
 14. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 13 in which said valve means is biassed to a valve-closed positionand is connected to valve actuating elements which move said valve meansagainst the biassing pressure to a valve-open position.
 15. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 14 in which said valve actuating elements are movablelongitudinally relative to said seal cutting elements.
 16. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 14 in which said valve actuating elements areconstituted by said seal cutting elements.